Heat treating apparatus



May 17, 1966 A. s. FRENCH HEAT TREATING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 1, 1962 INVEN TOR. ALBERT F. FRENCH ATTORNEY May 17, 1966 A. s. FRENCH HEAT TREATING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 1, 1962 NOE m m m m ALBERT F. FRENCH ATTORNEY May 17, 1966 A. s. FRENCH HEAT TREATING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 1, 1962 INVENTOR.

ALBERT F. FRENCH j BY ATTORNEY m OMN 0mm 6 Sheets-Sheec 4.

IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY May 17, 1966 A. s. FRENCH HEAT TREATING APPARATUS Filed March 1, 1962 ALBERT F. FRENCH May 17, 1966 A. s. FRENCH HEAT TREATING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 1, 1962 INVENTOR.

ALBERT F. FRENCH ATTORNEY May 17, 1966 A. s. FRENCH HEAT TREATING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 1, 1962 IIIIIIIIIIII INVENTOR.

ALBERT F. FRENCH ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,251,588 HEAT TREATING APPARATUS Albert S. French, Euclid, Ohio, assignor to Van Dorn Company, a corporation of Ohio Filed Mar. 1, 1962, Ser. No. 176,722 5 Claims. (Cl. 266-6) This invention pertains to the art of heat treating metals and more particularly to an apparatus for quench hardening elongated steel members.

This application is an improvement on my copending application Serial No. 821,144, filed June 18, 1959.

The present invention is particularly adapted to heat treat elongated structural steel members such as channels,

angle irons and I beams and it will be discussed with particular reference thereto; however, it is to be appreciated that the invention has much broader applications and may be used for heat treating a variety of elongated metal workpieces.

Elongated structural steel members such as channels,

angle irons and I beams are usually produced by hot rolling. Such structural members exhibit a relatively low tensile strength and when these members are usedin steel construction work, it is necessary to increase the size and/or number of these members to obtain the desired load carrying characteristics. It is known that the tensile strength of the steel members may be increased by various known heat treating processes. All of these processes involve a quenching operation which produces uneven contraction of the steel member so that warpage occurs, especially when the members are quite long. 'I his warpage prevented use of the hardened steel members in construction work and could not be economically prevented until invention of the quenching fixture disclosed in my copending application mentioned above. By using this fixture it is now possible to produce high tensile strength elongated steel members such as channels, angle irons and I beam having at the most only a slight warpage or distortion along the lengths thereof.

The present invention is an improvement on the quenching fixture of my copending application and relates to a heat treat-ing apparatus which is economical to install, results in a greatly increased man-hour productivity, handles a large variety of cross sectional shapes and prevents warpage of elongated heat treated members.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a quenching fixture for supporting a heated elongated metallic workpiece during the quenching thereof comprising in combination: a lower platen, at least a pair of lower workpiece receiving members carried thereby, at least a pair of upper workpiece receiving members positioned above the lower. workpiece receiving members in spaced relationship thereto and defining a workpiece receiving space therebetween and means for clamping a workpiece between said members during quenching and each member of each pair being longitudinally movable relative to the other member of the pair so that the workpiece can freely contract during quenching. As an additional feature, means are provided for longitudinally moving the lower pair of members apart at least after a workpiece has been removed from the fixture and before the next quenching operation.

In accordance with still a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a quenching fixture for supporting a heated, elongated workpiece during quenching thereof, comprising in combination: an upper frame, an upper and lower workpiece receiving member, each of the members positioned under the frame, the members being spaced to define a workpiece receiving nest, and means for clamping the members together after the workpiece is positioned within the nest, the means including a first and second vertical support means extending between the "ice frame and the lower member and on opposite sides of the members, means secured to the frame for forcing the upper member against the lower member during quenching, and means for disconnecting the first vertical support to allow transverse loading of the workpiece receiving nest.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of a heat treating apparatus for supporting an elongated metal workpiece during quenching thereof which apparatus is simple in operation and prevents objectionable warpage of the workpiece during quenching.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a heat treating apparatus for hardening an'elongated metal workpiece which apparatus enables etficient transfer of the workpiece from a heating furnace to a quenching fixture.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a heat treating apparatus for hardening an elongated metal workpiece, the apparatus having a quenching fixture which may be easily loaded and which prevents objectionable warpage of the workpiece.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of a heat treating apparatus for hardening an elongated metal workpiece, the apparatus having a transfer means for moving the workpiece from a heating furnace to a quenching fixture and a carriage for moving the workpiece into and out of the furnace wherein the transfer means can easily remove the workpiece from the carriage.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a heat treating apparatus for hardening an elongated 7 metal workpiece, .the apparatus having a carriage for moving the workpiece into and out of a heating furnace wherein the carriage has spaced upright members adapted to contact the workpiece at spaced points along the length thereof;

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a heat treating apparatus for hardening an elongated metal workpiece which apparatus has a substantially greater man-hour productivity than similar heat treating apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a heat treating apparatus for hardening an elongated metal workpiece, the apparatus having a quenching fixture of the clamping type which fixture has means for shifting the workpiece receiving members away from each other after each quenching operation.

An additional object of the present invention is the provision of a heat treating apparatus for hardening an elongated metal workpiece, the apparatus having a quenching fixture of the clamped platen type which fixture 'is provided with longitudinally floating platens that allow longitudinal contraction of the workpiece during quenching but which restrain the workpiece laterally to prevent warpage.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a heat treating apparatus for hardening an elongated metal workpiece, the apparatus having a quenching fixture of the clamping type which fixture has means for shifting the support members between the workpiece clamping members and located along one side of the fixture to allow transverse loading of the workpiece into the fixture.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description used to illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention as read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation disclosing a preferred enibodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1(a) is a partial pictorial view showing the sup- 7 porting structure of the carriage;

FIG. 2 is a top, somewhatschematic, elevational view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial end view taken along line 3'3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of the transfer carriage operating mechanism;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial view of the clamping or holding mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional partial view illustrating the front locking mechanism;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional partial view illustrating the rear locking mechanism;

FIG. 9 is a pictorial partial view illustrating the universal die plate; and, 7

FIG. 10 is a pictorial view illustrating the upper and lower die adapters.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting same, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a heat treating apparatus for heat treating elongated metal workpieces, such as steel channels of various dimensions. The workpiece is disclosed as an elongated steel channel 16 for illustrative purposes only, and it is realized that the apparatus canbe readily adapted for heat treating many other elongated metal workpieces such as angle irons and I beams without departing from the scope of the present invention. Being more specific, the apparatus comprises a somewhat conventional heating furnace A for heating an elongated workpiece; at least one furnace carriage B adapted to move into and out of the furnace for supporting the elongated workpiece 16 during the heating operation; a quench tank C filled with water or other appropriate quenching liquids for quenching the elongated workpiece after it has been heated; a quenching fixture D for clamping the elongated workpiece and moving the workpiece into and out of the qnenchtank C; a conveyor E of appropriate construction to move the workpiece to a parallel position opposite both the carriage B and the quenching fixture D; a transfer carriage F for removing the elongated workpiece from the conveyor E, for loading and unloading the carriage B and for loading the workpiece transversely into the quench fixture D; and a superstructure G over the complete apparatus for providing appropriate support and for providing transversely extending ways for operation of the transfer carriage F.

Furnace A is constructed in a conventional manner and may be heated by gas or other appropriate means; however, it is characterized by having at least one forwardly facing charging opening 10 and rails 12 leading into the charging opening so that the carriage B supported by the rails may be conveniently moved into and out of the furnace. The carriage B is constructed to have lower trucks 13 to support the carriage on the rails and a plurality of upwardly and transversely extending spaced plates 14 which are positioned intermittently along the complete length of the carriage B. A channel 16 of any desired size is shown positioned on the upper edges of the upstanding plates 14 so that the channel 16 is supported at a plurality of points spaced along the complete length of the channel (see FIG. la). By providing the spaced plates on the upper portion of the carriage B, all surfaces of the channels may be heated in the furnace without conducting a substantial amount of heat to the carriage, and, in this manner, the channel is rapidly and uniformly heated. The spacing between the upstanding plates 14 as will appear allows a transfer arm to extend therebetween so that the channels 16 supported on the upper edges of the plates 14 may be conveniently loaded and unloaded from the carriage B. The transfer arrangement will be described hereinafter in detail.

The channels 16 are stored in a central storage area and are conveyed to the heat treating apparatus by an appropriate conveyor means disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2 as a Logan conveyor E provided with a plurality of longtit-udinally spaced transversely extending rollers 20. At predetermined positions along the length of the conveyor E there are downwardly extending recesses 22 which accommodate transfer arms, to be discussed later, so that the channels 16 may be efficiently removed from the conveyor and supported on the transfer arms.

Spaced transversely from the rails 12, on the side opposite the conveyor E, is the quench tank C supported in a sunken pit 25. The tank C is disclosed as a metal tank having a length suflicient to accommodate the elongated workpiece 16 and a width and depth to receive the quench fixture D and at least submerge the workpiece 16. The lower surface of the tank is provided With longitudinally extending spaced supports 26 and an appropriate quenching liquid 28 is provided within the tank C for quenching the channels after they have been heated in the furnace A.

The superstructure G is disclosed rather schematically and it is appreciated that in practice a variety of reinforcing means and additional structural elements may be necessary to provide rigidity to this superstructure. Basically, the superstructure is provided with a plurality of spaced beams 30 perpendicular to the conveyor E and the rails 12 and extending from a position to the right of conveyor E as disclosed in FIG. 1 to a position above the quench tank C. At either end of the beams 30, appropriate end support beams 32 form the uppermost portion of the superstructure into a generally rectangular configuration. This rectangular configuration is supported by vertically extending beams 34 positioned at least near the four corners thereof.

The transfer carriage, or loading machine, F comprises, basically, a plurality of reciprocally mounted hooklike arms 40 having a nose with a height and a width to allow extension of the arm into the recesses 22 of the conveyor and between the upstanding plates 14 of the carriages B. The transfer carriage is provided with an upper support framework 42, best shown in FIG. 2, which extends generally perpendicular to beams 30. A plurality of wheels 44 roll along beams 30 and are driven by a common chain 46 connected to gear reducer 48 and motor 50 on an auxiliary framework support 51 which is spaced upwardly from the framework 42 as is best illustrated in FIG. 1. The rear portion of the framework 42 is supported on the beams 30 by an upper wheel 52 and a lower wheel 54 contacting the upper and the lower surfaces respectively of beams 30. To prevent overtravel of frame 42 in a direction away from conveyor E, the beams 39 are provided with an appropriate stop means such as abutments 55.

The hook-like arms 40 are slidably supported within downwardly extending guides 56 secured to the framework 42 and having a central guide passage for receiving an upstanding right angle leg 58 of the hook-like arm 4t). Extending downwardly through the central guide passage in guides 56 is a cable, or chain, 60 connected to the upper portion of leg 58 and wrapped around lift pulley 62. It is appreciated that in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the hook-like arms 40 are provided with basically the same type of lifting arrangement to impart vertical motion thereto; however, other modifications and structural changes could by made without departing from the intended spirit and scope of the invention. Each of the pulleys 62 above the hook-like arms 40 is rotated by a shaft 64 driven by pulley 66 which is in turn drivingly connected to power means 68 mounted on frame 42 and comprising a motor and a speed reducer.

Referring now to the quench fixture D, best shown in FIGS. 3 .and 4, the fixture is reciprocally mounted to move into and out of the quenching liquid 29 within tank C. To reciprocally receive the fixture D there are provided a plurality of vertical guide beams 70 extending upwardly from the tank C at the rear portion thereof and a plurality of vertical guide beams 72 extending up- ,wardly from tank C at the front portion thereof. These vertical guide beams provide the reciprocal mounting for the fixture D. Extending generally parallel to the floor is a top superstructure 74 for supporting the fixture operating mechanism and a vertical superstructure 76 is provided to assist in this function.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the quenching fixture D includes a lower generally L-shaped platen assembly 80 having a plurality of guide channels 82 comprised basically of two angle irons contacting either side of the vertical guide beams 70 to allow vertical sliding movement between the beams 7 0- and the lower platen assembly 80. Extending generally perpendicular from the channels 82, and at the lower portion thereof, a relatively rigid under-framework 84 is provided for supporting the lower relatively fixed platen and the workpiece receiving members of the fixture. The upper portion of the guidechannels 82 is supported in spaced relationship by a longitudinally extending channel 85, omitted from FIG. 1 for purposes of simplicity, but shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. At the front portion of the underframework 84 there are provided a plurality of forwardly extending guide brackets 86 slidably received on the vertically extending guide beams 72 at the front portion of tank C. By the combined action of the guide channels 82 and the guide brackets 86, the fixture D is reciprocally mounted within the quench tank C. The undersurface of the framework 84 is provided with spaced longitudinally extending channels 88 adapted to match rails 26 at the lower portion of the tank C when the fixture is lowered into the tank. Rigidly aflixed to the under-framework 84 are spaced apart slides 90 shown as angle irons and provided with appropriate bearings 92 disclosed in FIG. 3 which in the preferred embodiment are comprised of nylon members affixed to the upwardly facing surfaces of the slides 90. Workpiece receiving members 94, 96 and 98 are supported on the slides 90, which, in essence, form a lower frame or platen fixed with respect to framework 84. The outermost workpiece receiving members 94, and 98 are slidably received on the guides 90; however, it is possible to affix the central workpiece receiving member 96 directly to the guides. 90. As so far discussed, three workpiece receiving members have been mentioned; however, in

essence, it is necessary to have only two members, one being fixed and the other being movable relatively to the fixed member and in only longitudinal direction. To accommodate longer workpieces, it may be desirable to use a fixture having more than three workpiece receiving members, which fixture would still come within the scope of the present invention.

On the upper portion of guide channels 82 there is provided a stop 100 and a plurality of abutments 102 spaced from the stop. These members provide a space x for allowing loading and unloading of the fixture D in a manner to be discussed. The longitudinally extending support channel 85 is provided with a plurality of spaced cable connections 104 shown in FIG. 3.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, near the inwardly facing ends of the workpiece receiving members 94 and 98 there are provided protracting devices 106 which in the preferred embodiment-are hydraulically operated cylinders but which may take the structural embodiment of other mechanical or electrical motion causing means. On actuation of the devices 106 the floating members 94 and 98 are moved longitudinally away from the central member 96.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the upper frame assembly 110 is provided with an upper longitudinally extending framework 112 and floating suspended upper workpiece receiving members114, 116 and 118 positioned above lower workpiece receiving members 94, 96 and 98 respectively. Adjacent the forwardmost side of fixture D the upper frame 110 is also provided with a hook latch assembly 120 shown in detail in FIG. 5 and comprised of a plurality of hooks 122 each being pivotally mounted about an axis 124. To provide for the pivotal movement of the hooks 122 there is provided a plurality of shafts 126 journaled on upper framework 112. The hooks are provided with upwardly extending counter weights 128 and downwardly extending hook ends 130 adapted to coact with pins 132 aflixedto the frame or lower fixed platen 90.

The hooks are pivoted by an operating mechanism bestdisclosed in FIGS. 4 and 5 showing levers 142 keyed to shafts 126 and pivotally afiixed on longitudinally extending actuating bar 144. The actuating bar is moved in a longitudinal direction by a power cylinder 146 pivotally connected at 148 to the upper framework 112. Longitudinal shifting of the bar 144 pivots levers 142 and shafts 126 to pivot the hooks 122, in unison, into and out of interlocking engagement with pins 132.

Referring more specifically to FIGURES 3, 4 and 6, the clamping or holding mechanism for exerting force between the upper members 114, 116 and 118 and lower 7 members 94, 96 and 98 respectively is disclosed in detail.

Basically, a plurality of shafts 152 are spaced along the upper surface of framework 112 and each shaft is provided with an upstanding operating lever 154 some of which may take the form of a double link lever as shown in FIGURE 3, and which is connected to a longitudinally extending actuating bar 156. Each shaft is provided with at least two holding levers 158 connected to holding links 160 having an appropriate length adjusting arrangement such as turnbuckle 162. The lowermost end of the holding links 160 are pivotally connected to the upper floating members by an appropriate connection 164. The upper floating members are moved toward the lower workpiece receiving members by longitudinally shifting the arms 156 by an appropriate power means such as cylinder 166 pivotally connected onto framework 112 at connection 168. As is noted in FIGURE 4 each of the floating members 114, 116 and 118 is provided with a separate holding or clamping mechanism however, it is possible to use only one of such mechanisms extending the complete length of the quenching fixture; however, this does not provide the best holding characteristics for the fixture and separate mechanisms are preferred. The actuating bar 156 is disclosed in FIGURE 4 as being shifted longitudinally to the left to thereby force links 162 downward; however, it is realized that the bar 156 may be shifted to the right and by appropriate modifications in the linkage arrangement such motion can be made to effectively operate links 162 downwardly. By so changing the direction of bar 156, which may be accomplished without changing the position of piston 166, the angle at which the links 162 support the upper members may be reversed. In practice, the right end of the quench- .ing fixture is provided with a holding or clamping arrangement wherein bar 156 moves to the right and the links 162 contact the member 118 at an angle inclined upwardly to the right. An end view of this holding or clamping mechanism is disclosed in FIGURE 3; however, for simplicity a detailed end view is not duplicated in FIGURE 1 and only the bar 156, shaft 152 and links are disclosed.

To lessen the power required to raise the fixture D from tank C, the fixture. is provided with an appropriate coun ter weighting arrangement disclosed in FIGURES l and 2. Basically, the lower platen assembly 80 is connected to counter weights 170 and 172 by cables 173 extending over pulleys 174, 176 and joined to the platen assembly at connections 104. The upper frame assembly 110 is connected to counter weights 180, 182 and 184 by cables 185 extending over pulleys 186, 188 and connected to the upper frame by a plurality of appropriate cable brackets 190. The counter weight system as disclosed in connection with the preferred embodiment of the present invention maybe modified without departing from the present invention.

A hoisting mechanism 200 shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 is provided adjacent the quench tank C and, in the preferred; embodiment, near the rear portion of the quenching fixture. This mechanism raises and lowers the quenching fixture D into the quench tank C and comprises a drive mechanism 202 operably connected to a longitudinally extending shaft'204 carrying cable wrapping pulleys 206, 208 adjacent either end thereof. Rotation of pulleys raises or lowers the quenching fixture by cables 210 extending over pulleys 212, 214'and connected to the quenching fixture D by appropriate cable connections 216 best shown in FIGURE 3. It is within the contemplation of the present invention to provide a variety of hoisting mechanisms for raising and lowering the quenching fixture; however, the mechanism as disclosed in the drawings has proven satisfactory in actual operation.

When the quenching fixture D is raised to its uppermost position for loading and unloading the channel 16 therefrom, a plurality of locking mechanisms are provided to relieve stresses in the hoisting cables 210 and allow framework 112 to shift downwardly to stop 100 so that the hooks 122 may be disengaged from the pins 132. These locking mechanisms are positioned adjacent the front and rear sides of the quenching fixture and, in the preferred embodiment, the front locking mechanism is disclosed in FIGURES 3 and 7, as comprising a bracket 220 fixed on the outermost end of pin 132 and an appropriate hardened keeper 222 depending slightly downwardly from the bracket 220. On the upperend of the front vertical guide beam 72 there is provided a cylinder 224 having a reciprocal piston rod 225 operably connected to a locking block 226 so that the block reciprocates within the guide support 228 to selectively engage the keeper 222 to hold the front portion of the quenching fixture in its uppermost position.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 and 8, the rear locking mechanism comprises a bracket 230 afiixed to the vertical guide channel 82 and having an aperture 232 provided with an appropriate hardened keeper 234. The cylinder 236 is fixedly supported by appropriate means on vertical guide beam 70 and has a piston rod 238 operably connected to a locking block 240 reciprocally mounted within guide support 242 to selectively engage keeper 234 and thereby secure the rear portion of the quenching fixture in its uppermost position.

Channel 16 is securely held between workpiece receiving members 114, 116 and 118 and 94, 95 and 96 respectively and for this function it is necessary to provide appropriate nesting means on these respective members to secure the elongated workpieces i.e., channel 16 therebetween. Referring to FIGS. 3, 9 and 10, holding dies are provided for these workpiece receiving members. The upper holding die 250 and the lower holding die 252 are quite similar in construction with the basic difference being the configuration of the work engaging portions; therefore, the lower holding die 250 will be discussed in detail and it is realized this discussion will apply equally to the upper holding die 250 with appropriate changes in only the workpiece receiving portions of that die. In essence, a universal die base 254 is provided with a base plate 256 having spaced mounting holes 258 for securing the die base onto the appropriate platen. Extending upwardly from the base plate are a plurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extending plates 260 having sufficient spacing therebetween to allow clearance for insertion of the hook-like arms 40. Each plate is provided with appropriate mounting straps 262, 264 having apertures 266. As so far discussed, the universal die base may be used for a variety of elongated workpieces having different cross sectional shapes and the universal die base can also be used on either the upper or the lower workpiece receiving member. To adapt the universal die base for a particular elongated workpiece i.e., such as a channel 16 the universal die base is provided with die adapters such as an upper die adapter 270 or lower die adapter 272 disclosed in FIGURE 10. The adapters are constructed to engage the upper and lower portion of the elongated workpiece while the workpiece is being quenched, and, in essence, they are similar in construction for the Workpiece engaging edges which are constructed to match one another. Because of the similarity, only the die adapter 272 will be discussed in detail. This die adapter is provided with contoured portions 274 and 276, the former adapted to support a relatively large channel 16 and the latter adapted to engage a smaller channel. The upper workpiece engaging areas are provided with a plurality of spaced lugs 278, the lugs of the lower adapter being substantially aligned with the lugs of the upper adapter. There are further provided a plurality of apertures 280 which coincide with apertures 266 on the mounting straps so that the adapters can be fixedly secured to the upper portion of the universal die base 254 and between the mounting straps so that the straps form a splice between plates 260 and the die adapter 272.

After the channel 16 has been quenched in tank C, a variety of appropriate mechanisms may be provided for unloading the channel from the quenching fixture D and since these mechanisms do not form a part of the present invention, they are not illustrated.

In operation, a channel such as channel 16 is moved along conveyor E with a pre-determined side extending upwardly such as the legs 16a of the channel as disclosed in FIGURE 1 and the channel is positioned opposite the transfer carriage F. Thereafter the spaced hook-like arms are adjusted vertically by cable 60 and are moved transversely along beams 36 until the hook-like arms extend into the spaced recesses 22 of the conveyor. Thereafter, the hook-like arms are moved upwardly to remove the channel from the conveyor and transfer the channel to an awaiting furnace carriage B positioned opposite the conveyor. The hook-like arms extend between the spaced upstanding plates 14 so that the channel may be easily deposited on the upper edges of these plates. The transfer carriage F is then backed away from the furnace carriage B and the furnace carriage is moved along rails 12 into the charging opening 10 of furnace A. While in the furnace the channel is supported on the upper edges of the upstanding plates 14 so that heat conductivity between the channel and the carriage is greatly reduced and the channel has no substantial cold spots along its lower surface. If a fiat bedded carriage were used, there channel therebetween.

appropriate contoured portions of the die adapters 272 would be a temperature differential between the upper and the lower portions of the channel in contact with the furnace carriage, especially if the heating time is maintained at a minimum. After the channel 16 has reached the desired temperature, the carriage moves from the furnace A to position in line with the transfer carriage F and the quenching fixture D. The hook-like fingers 40 again pass between the upstanding plates 14 to engage the base 16b of the channel and remove the channel from the upper edges of these plates; thereafter, the channel is moved toward the quenching fixture D and the hooks 122 are pivoted about axis 124 so that the workpiece may be freely moved transversely into the quenching fixture. The members 114, 116 and 118 are separated from the members 94, 96 and 98 to allow entrance of the The channel is laid upon the which are aligned to form a workpiece receiving nest. The floating, lower workpiece receiving members 94 and 98 have been previously moved outwardly from the central platen 96 by the protracting devices 106. In this manner the quenching fixture D is loaded with the heated elongated workpiece 16 and the transfer carriage moves back to its initial position. The locking blocks 226 and 240 have been previously engaged with keepers 222 and 234 respectively so that the quenching fixture D is secured in its uppermost position. The hoisting mechanism lowers cables 210 so that the upper frame assembly 110 drops slightwardly downward into engagement with stop 100, in which position the hook ends 130 of the hooks 122 can be positioned over pins 132; therefore, the cylinder 146 draws the actuating bar 144 to the right as disclosed in FIGURE so that the hooks 122 are pivoted about axis 124 into the solid line position i.e., extending sub: stantially vertical with respect to the framework 112. In this manner the hooks 122 are engaged with pins 132 to provide front support between upper framework 112 and under framework 84. Cylinders 166 are then actuated to longitudinally shift actuating bars 156 which in turn rotates holding levers 158 downwardly. In this manner, the holding links 160 force the upper workpiece receiving members against the lower workpiece receiving members to hold the channel 16 between the upstanding edges of the die adapters 270, 272. As force is'being applied between the upper and the lower workpiece receiving members, the framework 112 is forced upwardly against abutments 102 and, thus, moves a distance x as disclosed in FIGURES l and 3. This distance x is the distance between stop 100 and abutment 102 minus the thickness of the framework 112 and must be such so that the upper framework may be lowered sufliciently to allow engagement of the hooks 122 with the pins 132. The quenching fixture D securely holds the channel 16 in position so that there can be no transverse deformation during the quenching operation.

Cylinders 224 and 236 are then actuated to shift the locking blocks from the respective keepers which releases the quenching fixture and allows lowering of the fixture by the hoisting mechanism 200. The lower channels 88 engage the rails 26 to support the quenching fixture on the lower portion of the tank. The quenching fixture is maintained in the tank C until the channel 16 is properly quenched. During the quenching operation the channel is engaged at spaced point, and then only by lugs 278, so that there can be even quenching of the channel; however, the contoured portion 274 is such to prevent transverse warpage of the channel. Of course, the channel will decrease in length as it is quenched and in some cases this decrease amounts to 5 to 6 inches according to the length of the workpiece. The lugs 278 allow longitudinal or axial shrinkage of the workpiece without transverse warpage; however, by providing the floating outer members 94 and 98, this longitudinalshrinkage of the channel is accommodated without undue strain on the lugs while continuing to restrain lateral deflection of the channel.

After the channel has been quenched, the hoisting mechanism 200 raises fixture D, and when the fixture is in the uppermost position, the cylinders 224 and 236 are again actuated to lock the fixture. Thereafter, the upper framework 112 is lowered the distance x to abut the stop 100 so that as cylinder 146 shifts the arm 144 the hooks 122 are pivoted about axis 124 out of engagement with the pins 132 and piston 166 raises the upper floating members to allow removal of the quenched channel 16. The cycle is thereafter repeated and since two or more channels may be accommodated in one quenching fixture by appropriate design of the die adapter, the next channel to be quenched may be of a different size. It is also within the contemplation of the invention to produce die adapters having different configurations such as to accommodate I beams or angle irons successfully.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. A quenching fixture for supporting a heated, elongated workpiece during quenching thereof, comprising, in combination: a lower relatively fixed frame, at least one lower floating workpiece receiving member carried by and movable relative to said lower fixed frame, another lower workpiece receiving member carried by said lower fixed frame, said workpiece receiving members having spaced upstanding plates with contoured workpiece receiving edges, said plates of said workpiece receiving members defining a workpiece receiving nest for support- 10 ing s'aid workpiece during quenching, means for allowing only longitudinal movement between said workpiece receiving members, an upper floating member above each lower workpiece receiving member and having spaced .depending plates matching said upstanding plates, means for clamping said upper floating members against said lower workpiece receiving members during quenching of said workpiece, power means for shifting said lower floating workpiece receiving member away from said other lower workpiece receiving member, an upper relatively fixed frame above said floating members, said means for clamping each of said upper floating members against the corresponding lower workpiece receiving member comprising a link having adjustable length and extending between said upper relatively fixed frame and each of said upper floating members, an actuating arm on said upper fixed frame and movable generally parallel to said upper floating member, pivotable lever means connecting said link and said actuating arm and power means for operating said arm to force said link downwardly.

2. A quenching fixture for supporting a heated, elongated workpiece during quenching thereof, comprising in combination: a first relatively fixed frame, a second relatively fixed frame spaced from said first fixed frame, relatively movable means between said frames for clamping said workpiece, a vertical support means between said frames, said vertical support means including a releasable means for allowing transverse loading of said workpiece between said frames, said releasable means comprising a vertical support element at one side of and extending between said fixed frames, said vertical support element being pivotally mounted on said first frame and having a hook end adjacent said second frame and a pin means on said second frame for engaging said hook end, a means for moving one of said frames slightly toward the other frame, and means for pivoting said hook end out of engagement with said pin while said frames are moved toward each other, said vertical support means also including a vertical support element at the other side of said fixed frame whereby said vertical support means straddles said frames.

3 A quenching fixture as defined in claim 2 wherein said relatively movable means comprises at least one disconnecting said first vertical support means to allowlower floating workpiece receiving member carried by and movable relative to said second fixed frame, another lower workpiece receiving member carried by said second fixed frame, the lower workpiece receiving members having spaced upstanding plates with contoured workpiece receiving edges, the plates of said workpiece receiving members defining a workpiece receiving nest for supporting said workpiece during quenching, means for allowing only longitudinal movement between said lower workpiece receiving members, an upper floating workpiece receiving member above each lower workpiece receiving member and having spaced depending plates matching said upstanding plates, means for clamping said upper members against said lower members during quenching of said workpiece and power means for shifting said. lower floating member away-from said other lower member.

4. A quenching fixture for supporting a heated, elongated workpiece during quenching thereof, comprising in combination: an-upper frame, an upper workpiece receiving member, a lower workpiece receiving member, each of said members positioned under said frame and spaced to define a workpiece receiving nest, a means for clamping said members together after said workpiece is positioned within said nest, said clamping means in-' cluding a first and a second vertical support means extending between said frame and said lower member and on opposite sides of said members, means on said frame for forcing said upper member against said lower member during quenching of said workpiece, and means for transverse loading of said workpiece into said nest while said members are separated.

5. A quenching fixture as defined in claim 4 wherein said first vertical support means comprises an elongated member pivotally mounted on said upper frame and having a lower hooked end, a pin means mounted on said lower member and adapted to receive said hooked end and said means for disconnecting said vertical support means comprising a first means for moving said frame slightly toward said lower member and a second means for pivoting said hooked end out of engagement with said pin means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 256,898 4/1882 Jacobs 2266 Sklovsky 2666 Van Barth 266-4 August 266-6 Urschel 2666 Ipsen 266-4 Sprink 2666 Speck et al. 2666 XR 10 JOHN F. CAMPBELL, Primary Examiner.

MORRIS O. WOLK, Examiner.

D. GANTZ, Assistant Examiner. v 

4. A QUENCHING FIXTURE FOR SUPPORTING A HEATED, ELONGATED WORKPIECE DURING QUENCHING THEREOF, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: AN UPPER FRAME, AN UPPER WORKPIECE RECEIVING MEMBER, A LOWER WORKPIECE RECEIVING MEMBER, EACH OF SAID MEMBERS POSITIONED UNDER SAID FRAME AND SPACED TO DEFINE A WORKPIECE RECEIVING NEST, A MEANS FOR CLAMPING SAID MEMBERS TOGETHER AFTER SAID WORKPIECE IS POSITIONED WITHIN SAID NET, SAID CLAMPING MEANS INCLUDING A FIRST AND A SECOND VERTICAL SUPPORT MEANS EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID FRAME AND SAID LOWER MEMBER AND ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID MEMBERS, MEANS ON SAID FRAME FOR FORCING SAID UPPER MEMBER AGAINST SAID LOWER MEM- 